Power over ethernet surge protector

Abstract

An electrical surge protection device can provide surge protection and electrostatic discharge protection to power over Ethernet (PoE) ports and devices attached thereto. The PoE surge protection device includes connectors on each side thereof with a surge protection circuit disposed between the connectors. The surge protection circuit offers low capacitance while protection equipment connected to the device. The surge protection device can be, for example, mounted on a patch panel to protect equipment connected thereto.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pass through surge protector for power over Ethernet applications, comprising:
 a first connector for receiving data signals and power signals;   a second connector for outputting protected data signals and protected power signals to equipment;   a first chipset disposed in series between the data signals and the protected data signals, the first chipset having low capacitance transient voltage suppression array diodes; and   a second chipset disposed between the power signals and the protected power signals, the second chipset includes a transient voltage suppressor diode.   
     
     
         2 . The pass through surge protector of  claim 1 , further comprising a fuse disposed along each of the power signals. 
     
     
         3 . The pass through surge protector of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap covering the first connector. 
     
     
         4 . The pass through surge protector of  claim 1 , further comprising a body member having means for mounting the pass through surge protector to a structure. 
     
     
         5 . The pass through surge protector of  claim 4 , wherein the means for mounting the pass through surge protector includes a nut threaded on a threaded member of the body member. 
     
     
         6 . The pass through surge protector of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector and the second connector are RJ-45 Ethernet connectors. 
     
     
         7 . A method for providing surge and electrostatic discharge protection in a power over Ethernet application, the method comprising:
 receiving an Ethernet cable into a first connector, the Ethernet cable carrying data signals and power signals;   outputting protected data signals and protected power signals to equipment;   passing the data signals through a first chipset disposed in series between the data signals and the protected data signals, the first chipset having low capacitance transient voltage suppression array diodes; and   passing the power signals through a second chipset disposed between the power signals and the protected power signals, the second chipset includes a transient voltage suppressor diode.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising disposing a fuse along each of the power signals. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising covering the first connector with a cap when not in use. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising mounting a body member housing the first connector, the second connector, first chipset and second chipset to a structure.